Bears and Titans bring back weird football with wild sequence in NFL Week 1

Rome Odunze’s first NFL catch had everything

Remember the old “Stefon” skit on Saturday Night Live, where Bill Hader’s character would try and describe the latest trendy spot in New York City and reel off a laundry list of strange and exotic aspects to that particular establishment?

Rome Odunze’s first NFL reception was something like that skit.

With the Chicago Bears trailing the Tennessee Titans 17-0, Caleb Williams and company were driving before halftime for their first points of the 2024 NFL season. Facing a 1st and 10 on the Titans’ 21-yard line, Williams dropped into the pocket before trying to connect with D.J. Moore on a quick slant route.

The pass was deflected high into the air, in the direction of Odunze. The rookie wide receiver somehow jumped over linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. for the football, pulling in his first NFL catch.

But the play was not over:

A hit by safety Amani Hooker jarred the ball loose, and thankfully for Odunze and the Bears, lineman Teven Jenkins managed to fall on the loose ball to preserve the Bears’ possession.

The drive ended with a field goal, giving the Bears their first points of the 2024 season.

But perhaps not the first completion Odunze hoped for when his Sunday began.